If the singing Callaway sisters were characters in a movie, they would probably end their set and then storm off into the wings and begin fighting like cats and dogs. But singers Ann Hampton Callaway and Liz Callaway exist in real life, and their sisterly fondness and respect for each other is so palpable onstage that it turns their dual performances into more than the sum of their parts. That’s certainly the case with New York State of Mind, their wonderful new show being presented for a Thanksgiving week engagement at 54 Below that proves the perfect kick-off the holiday season.
Performing with a trio including Ritt Henn on bass, Ron Tierno on drums, and veteran music director Alex Rybeck on piano, the Callaways only intermittently adhere to the title of their show. Yes, they pay tribute to the city in which they’re performing with such songs as a gently swinging “New York State of Mind” and Cole Porter’s delightful “I Happen to Like New York” as well as snippets from others including the ubiquitous “New York, New York.” But the show is more freewheeling than that; if they pay tribute to anything, really, it’s the bond they have with each other. Hence, such relative obscurities as Chuck Mangione’s “As Long as We’re Together.”
Each performer gets opportunities to sing solo, with Ann excelling on Nancy Ford and Gretchen Cryer’s “My Old Friend” and a stirring gospel-infused version of Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind,” and Liz demonstrating her dramatic chops with deeply moving renditions of “Meadowlark” from The Baker’s Wife (which, she informed us, she first performed as a singing waitress at age 18) and “I’ll Be Here,” from the off-Broadway musical Ordinary Days.
But it’s the duets that are truly the evening’s highlights, with the siblings showcasing a stylistic ranging from silliness (“Back Seat of the Car Medley,” inspired by long car trips as children, featuring vintage pop hits like “Dance to the Music,” “Sugar Sugar” and “Joy to the World”) to poignancy (“The Way We Were,” “That’s the Way I’ve Always Heard It Should Be”). The numbers are enlivened by the gorgeous vocal arrangements that allow their voices to shine both individually and collectively. Their swinging vocalese and scatting abilities were delightfully showcased in the fast-paced “Cloudburst,” written by Jon Hendricks and made famous by Lambert, Hendricks & Ross.
Their onstage banter was both teasing and affectionate, whether referring to the “Callaway concubines” in the audience or Ann playfully telling her sister “I’ll see you after the show!” when Liz briefly departed to allow room for a solo number. Late in the show, when Ann gleefully announced “I love singing with my sister!” it felt utterly sincere rather than obligatory.
Seamlessly directed by Dan Foster, the show concluded with a heartfelt blending of Irving Berlin’s “Count Your Blessings” and John Bucchino’s “Grateful.” They were sentiments with which everyone in attendance could only agree.
Ann Hampton Callaway and Liz Callaway: New York State of Mind opened November 26, 2024, at 54 Below and runs through November 30. Tickets and information: 54below.com
